State rep. race highlights local issues

Tuesday

Oct 25, 2016 at 3:01 PMOct 25, 2016 at 6:19 PM

Ignacio Laguarda ilaguarda@wickedlocal.com @ilaguarda

The presidential race is dominating debate and discussion just two weeks away from the election, but Waltham voters will also be asked to cast a vote for one of two candidates running for a local state representative seat this November.

Incumbent Tom Stanley, who has been a representative since 2001, is facing off against newcomer Stacey Gallagher Tully for the 9th Middlesex District, which includes most of Waltham and a portion of Lincoln.

On Monday, Oct. 24, Tully spoke about her campaign, and said she’s learned a lot from voters as she’s knocked on doors looking for support.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” she said. “I’m energized and humbled every day by meeting people, and by the support of friends.”

Tom Stanley, who has run a number of campaigns in the past, said his strategy is always the same, and it involves knocking on the doors of Waltham residents.

“I’ve knocked on more doors in Waltham than anyone in history,” he said.

The former Waltham city councilor ran for mayor of Waltham last year and was narrowly defeated by incumbent Jeannette McCarthy. He said he has no immediate plans of running for mayor or a seat on the city council.

“The only thing on my mind is reelection for state representative,” he said.

Tully, a community activist and volunteer and longtime dance and fitness instructor, said voters might be skeptical of that statement.

“I think people are ready for change,” she said.

Speaking about her strengths, Tully said she would be visible and responsive as a state representative.

While she has campaigned throughout the district, Tully has focused some of her outreach into Lincoln, an area she said her opponent has neglected. She said many voters she has met were unaware of who their representative is.

“If you’re representing communities, they need to know who you are,” she said.

The district includes roughly 4,000 Lincoln residents.

Stanley responded that he’s given plenty of attention to Lincoln, especially to local elected officials such as Town Administrator Tim Higgins and school officials such as school committee chair Jennifer Glass.

To illustrate his point, Stanley pointed to a September letter from the town's board of selectmen and school committee thanking him for advocating for a $100,000 appropriation related to education.

"This is only the latest example of your consistent support and responsiveness to the town's needs," reads the letter.

“I’m very confident that I’m going to do extremely well in Lincoln this year,” said Stanley.

As he’s campaigned, Stanley said the conversations he’s had with residents tend to focus on the presidential election, and Question 2, which would increase the cap on charter schools if passed.

Stanley is opposed to Question 2, and has the endorsement of the Waltham Educators Association.

“I’ve always been pro-traditional public school,” he said.

Tully, an education major at Boston College, said charter schools are a complex issue, but she supports voting “no” on Question 2 as well.

“I fully support our public school teachers,” she said.

She said her concern is the lack of consistency across charter schools, as well as some children getting left behind.

“If we’re going to do this right, have to educate and take care of all our kids,” she said.

Both candidates also endorse voting “no” on Question 4, which would legalize the sale of marijuana.

Stanley touted his record working for Waltham in a phone interview on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

“I work hard for the communities I represent,” he said. “I have the experience, educational background, I’ve been able to help hundreds of constituents fighting government bureaucracy. I’ve been effective for Waltham and Lincoln and Lexington.’

Stanley previously represented portions of Lexington and Belmont, before redistricting shifted his constituency to Waltham and Lincoln.

“Year in and year out, I’ve been on the front lines of every state and local issue facing Waltham and its citizens,” he said.

The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, though Waltham is offering early voting. For a schedule of early voting times and locations, visit city.waltham.ma.us.